Eliminate accumulations of lint, hair, dead insects and debris that carpet beetles feed upon. Consider purchasing a flying insect fogger; one with non-residue will not stain furniture.
Cleaning fabrics like clothing, bedding, towels and cushions in hot water with detergent before placing them in the dryer at high heat can help kill carpet beetles, their eggs and larvae. Any fabric showing extensive signs of damage should also be discarded immediately.
Vacuuming regularly will reduce the number of carpet beetles in your home by eliminating their eggs and larvae, which feed on keratin. You may need to go over an area multiple times until all larvae and beetles have been identified, especially if there are corners and cracks that contain beetles or larvae.
Wash as many fabrics as possible before dry cleaning items such as clothing, bedding and silks that can't be washed in the washing machine - such as clothing, bedding and silks - with high heat from a dryer in order to kill carpet beetle insects, larvae or eggs that might be hiding inside them.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth should be liberally applied throughout your house in areas that you suspect carpet beetles might be hiding, such as near rugs, closets and skirting boards. Diatomaceous earth acts as a natural desiccant that dehydrates larvae without harming pets or children. You could also try using Catchmaster traps on walls and furniture as well as hormonal sprays like Flex 10-10 to deter carpet beetles and their larvae from entering.
Carpet beetles can be eradicated using various strategies. Your pest control provider might opt for liquid, dust or aerosol treatments depending on the severity of infestation, level of damage sustained and whether or not carpet restoration is desired.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth can provide an alternative to toxic moth balls and flakes by breaking down their exoskeletons, killing beetles by breaking them off. When applying it, wear a mask as diatomaceous earth can irritate both lungs and eyes. Spread thin layers over areas where pests congregate.
Be sure to cover any areas where bugs are hiding, such as closets, dressers and furniture. Also dust carpet edges with powder to deter insects from crawling over it and being repulsed, thereby helping reduce their population. Allow the powder to remain on your carpet for a few hours before vacuuming; repeat as necessary until all pests have been eradicated from the home.
Adult carpet beetles can enter homes through open doors, windows or holes in window screens. By taking preventive steps against these pests, interior spaces will become less inviting for them.
Regularly vacuuming carpets and rugs, washing or shampooing all fabrics (clothing, sheets, towels etc) and emptying the vacuum bag immediately outdoors are key steps towards keeping a home healthy. Also remove bird, rodent, bee or wasp nests as well as old spider webs from outside structures to improve safety.
Steamers can be an effective solution to eliminating insects and eggs on items that cannot be washed, while boric acid acts as an insecticide to kill carpet beetles and their eggs. Rubbing alcohol may also help prevent beetles from laying eggs around counters and shelves; to monitor activity more easily use Catchmaster glueboards which come in increments of 12 so you can monitor all areas in your home at once.
Be wary when encountering adult carpet beetles inside your home; their presence may not necessarily indicate a serious infestation, but should serve as a timely warning that further action are required. These pests often gain entry through flowers brought inside or through open windows.
Once inside a home, fleas will lay their eggs on woolen fabrics like curtains and rugs; animal furs/skins (including taxidermied ones); food products like dried beans and cereals; where their larvae feed off of proteins in these foods to cause irreparable damage to clothing/furniture items as well as damaging clothing for humans and furniture pieces alike.
Your best chance at deterring these beetles is by eliminating their sources of food - bird nests near your house and food sources nearby are easy ways to do this, while routine vacuuming, rug cleaning and sealing/blocking cracks when possible will also help deter these beetles. Steaming can also provide an effective and safe treatment option to fabrics which cannot be machine washed as this kills carpet beetle eggs/larvae on contact.
That's all for our guide on how to get rid of carpet beetles. By following these natural remedies and preventive measures, you can effectively eliminate these pesky insects from your home.
If you want more information on the topic, check out this comprehensive guide on how to get rid of carpet beetles.
Remember, early detection and prompt action are crucial in controlling carpet beetle infestations. Don't let these tiny pests ruin your carpets and fabrics any longer!
